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FOX renewed the show for a second production cycle consisting of thirteen episodes on April 7, 2011,[1] and picked up the back nine on October 31, 2011, bringing the cycle to a total of 22 episodes.[2] Only nine of the episodes aired during the second season, with the remaining 13 episodes being held for the third season of the show.

Like the previous season, the second season aired in the competitive timeslot at 8:30 p.m. on Sundays. The season premiere, "The Belchies", obtained 4.04 million viewers in the United States. The season finale, "Beefsquatch", obtained 3.57 million viewers in the United States, slightly down from the season premiere. All of these ratings are measured by Nielsen ratings.

Bob's Burgers ended its second season with a per episode average of 4.18 million total viewers and a 2.3 ratings share in the 18–49 demographic. The season was generally well received by television critics. Most agreed that the second season was a considerable improvement over the first season of the series, particularly "Moody Foodie", "Burgerboss", and "Bob Day Afternoon".[3][4][5] Rowan Kaiser of The A.V. Club claimed that "after an uneven start, Bob's Burgers is becoming one of television’s best comedies!"

The second season of Bob's Burgers originally premiered on March 11, 2012 in the United States on the Fox network between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., with "The Belchies", and obtained 4.04 million viewers in the United States.[7] They are all of episodes which are part of Fox's Animation Domination television block. It was preceded by The Simpsons at 8:00 p.m., and was followed by Family Guy at 9:00 p.m. Most of the episodes that are part of this season are rated TV-14 on television in the United States. The season finale, "Beefsquatch", obtained 3.57 million viewers in the United States.[8]

Despite its middling ratings, Bob's Burgers was renewed for a third season, on May 14, 2012, alongside the cancellation of Napoleon Dynamite.[9]

The second season of Bob's Burgers was well received by television critics, particularly "Moody Foodie", "Burgerboss", and "Bob Day Afternoon".[3][4][5] It received a "78 out of 100" on aggregate site Metacritic. Rowan Kaiser of The A.V. Club claimed that "after an uneven start, Bob's Burgers is becoming one of television's best comedies!".[3]Alan Sepinwall of HitFix claimed that "the season's first two episodes aren't as consistently funny as last spring's best outings, but they do a good job of showcasing both the style of Bob's Burgers and the deep roster of characters the show has already assembled".[10] Sepinwall claimed that it was "strange, and I often like strange in my comedy, but at least initially, I didn't find it funny. But it was compelling in its weirdness — one early episode had the family becoming obsessed with the cow a protest filmmaker had parked outside their restaurant — and that kept me watching until the rest of the show clicked for me".[10] Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post stated that "an animated comedy that is propelled by a very strong voice cast and by its own daffy comedic momentum", and compared it to Breaking In.[11] Chris Cabin of The Slant Magazine called the season "improbably poignant".[12] Cabin also claimed that it "possesses an unmistakable love for underdogs and odd ducks".[12] Clark Collis of Entertainment Weekly noted that "While the show's attempt to please different generations is sometimes more jarring than jocular, this episode does feature the best non sequitur gag you're ever likely to hear about the Parliament song "Aqua Boogie"".[13]

Bob and Linda decide to take an opportunity to promote their restaurant when a bank robbery/hostage situation explodes across the street, but the robber, a low-level criminal named Mickey (voiced by Bill Hader) ends up taking Bob as a hostage.

The kids find a way to escape gym class by doing a bogus independent study of synchronized swimming, but things get complicated when Linda becomes their synchronized swimming instructor and Mr. Frond wants the kids to show off their routine in front of the school board. Meanwhile, Bob welcomes a new ice cream machine into the restaurant.

The Belchers beg Bob to buy a food truck to compete against the ones that are stealing his customers. When the "Lolla-Pa-Foods-A-Festival" comes up, the Belchers bring the truck and the kids decide to cause mischief. Unfortunately, this causes a riot among the other food truckers.